Follow in your reader

Career Development Part 2: Want a Promotion? Focus on Factors Within your Control

Today our guest blogger Lindsey Harper Mac presents the second in her new series of posts on career development. The third, and last, post will appear here next week . Lindsey is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree. You can find the first post in this series at this link – Career Development Part 1 – Why Get An Advanced Degree? The Answer is Obvious

Career Development Part 2: Want a Promotion? Focus on Factors Within your Control

Whether or not you get that long-dreamed-about promotion isn’t dependent on one or two easily manipulated factors. Instead, it relies upon a mishmash of influences, both business and employee-related. The business-related elements are ones that are specific to your business environment and ones over which you have less control. The employee-related factors are ones that you can manipulate and, in doing so, potentially increase your chances of obtaining the promotion you seek.

Business Factors

Your Boss – The degree to which you get along with your boss can play a major part in determining whether or not you find yourself in line for a promotion. If you and your boss get along famously, he’ll be more likely to recommend you for advancement should the opportunity present itself. If, on the other hand, you clash constantly, your name will likely not be at the top of the list when it’s time for him to recommend someone for a promotion.

Business Success – Management will be more likely to promote more workers if your specific company is going through a period of profitability. As businesses succeed, they also commonly expand, meaning more underlings are needed to do the work–and, of course, more leaders are needed to guide the company’s inner workings.

Industry Growth – Getting a promotion is often easier in a rapidly growing industry. If you happen to work in a field that’s going through a period of growth, you may find that more upper-level positions are being created to meet the increased demands. This growth is something you can capitalize on.

Retirements – If you happen to step into the world of work when others are preparing to step out, you may be able to obtain a promotion more quickly. As others retire and vacate their positions, you may find yourself serendipitously able to climb the ladder without having to shove off others already occupying the higher rungs.

Employee Factors

Education – The more you know and the more credentials you hold, the more obvious a choice you seem for a promotion. If you don’t have education in your specific industry, you may be able to better position yourself for advancement by completing an online education program or attending seminars in a topic that relates to your field.

Experience – The experience you bring to the table will make a major difference in determining whether or not you get a promotion. If you come to the position already holding years of experience, you’ll be a logical candidate for promotion. If you aren’t lucky enough to bring this experience with you, enhance your credibility by volunteering to take part in advanced projects or complete duties that may technically be above your current level.

Enthusiasm – If you attend work every day, do the minimum and go home, your boss probably won’t reward you with a promotion. The degree of enthusiasm you show is something management will note. If you can be more enthusiastic and eager, you can make yourself seem more dedicated to your business and deserving of a promotion.

Moving up in the corporate world isn’t always within your control. You can, however, take the helm and control the elements of promotability that you can change to ensure these controllable factors don’t stand in the way of that job you wish to hold.

About the author: Lindsey Harper Mac is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree.

Also by Lindsey Harper Mac

Career Development Part 1 – Why Get An Advanced Degree? The Answer is Obvious

Entrepreneurs Growing Forward

Why “be the best” when you could be the one making the rules? | WiseWolf Talking – the WiseWolf Coaching Blog.

The Makings of a Great Leader | WiseWolf Talking – the WiseWolf Coaching Blog.